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St. George chili cook-off and Avenues Proper Turns 3

Great Bowls of Fire
For a chili-head like me, traveling to St. George for a chili cook-off is a no-brainer. If there's a flaming hot time to be had, count me in! On Saturday, May 14, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., the beautiful St. George Town Square will be abuzz with the Utah State Chili Cook-Off, sanctioned by the International Chili Society. Prizes will be awarded for the best batches of red chili, green chili verde and salsa. In addition to cash prizes and trophies for winning contestants, the cook-off will feature live music, a vintage car show, soapbox races and more, including a reception on Friday night at host hotel Crystal Inn (1450 Hilton Drive). All proceeds will benefit American Legion Post 90, military veterans and their families. The Utah State Chili Cook-Off is open to the public and contestants can register online at ChiliCookoff.com. Sounds like a spicy way to spend a Saturday.

Avenues Proper Turns 3Avenues Proper (376 Eighth Ave., Salt Lake City, 385-227-8628, AvenuesProper.com) turns 3 years old next month and will host a special anniversary beer pairing dinner on Sunday, May 1, beginning at 6 p.m. The five-course dinner will begin with a social hour in the bar, followed by a special anniversary menu and beer pairings at 7 p.m., designed by Executive Chef Justin Soelberg and Chef de Cuisine Jeff Springer. Local ingredients such as Utah elk, mushrooms and Avenues Proper beers like Grow Wild Gruit—flavored and bittered with native Utah herbs—will be featured. It addition to elk tartare with cured quail egg, menu items include charred octopus with bone marrow demiglace; butter leaf and kale salad with smoked blue cheese; Luna Azul-poached halibut with romesco and fava bean chimichurri; and spent grain and fire-roasted apple tart. Beer pairings (all brewed by Avenues Proper) will include Luna Azul, Avenues Annual, Lake Effect Gose, Recommend Rye, Marmalade Wheat, Brumblin' Brown and Grow Wild Gruit. The anniversary dinner is $68 per person for food and $21 for the optional beer pairings, by reservation only. To claim your spot, call Avenues Proper at 385-227-8628.

Quote of the week:To make a good soup, the pot must only simmer or smile. —French Proverb